Houston tops FC Dallas; next up Columbus

Brian Ching scored the game winner in the 42nd and reigning MLS champion Houston Dynamo took the title from FC Dallas. The last reign for Houston was a 4-3 win over the same FC Dallas in May of 2006. Twenty five times the title has changed hands since Houston lost it to Chicago last season.

Houston will host Columbus on Saturday the 25th. This will be the first trip to Houston for Columbus, in fact, it is the first game between the two teams since San Jose's move to Houston. Columbus did visit San Jose twice. Taking the title in 2004 and defending the title via a draw in 1997. The teams have met 4 0ther times in Columbus with the Crew winning 3 of the games, taking the title from San Jose twice.

Houston is 8-8-5 at home on Saturdays and 2-3-4 as the home(Saturday) champion. Their overall home record is 13-14-11 and 3-7-6 as the Champ. But have only mustered 6 wins as the title older overall, drawing 10 and dropping 13.

Columbus has a great record as challenger and even road challenger. Overall as a challenger they are a very good 13-7-5 but on the road the Crew are a fantastic 6-2-2. Only the Crew and the Fire have taken the title as the challeger more than half the time they challenge, overall and on the road. The Crew have taken the title the last 3 times they have challenged for it.